GenAI for Africa 2025 : Horizon Europe Launches New Funding Call for Transformative AI Solutions

The European Commission, under its flagship Horizon Europe programme, has announced a major new opportunity aimed at fostering Generative AI (GenAI) innovation in Africa. With the launch of the HORIZON-CL4-2025-04-HUMAN-08: GenAI for Africa funding call, the initiative seeks to unlock the transformative power of AI for sustainable development and digital empowerment across the continent.

This call for proposals, part of the HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions (RIA), offers a significant chance for researchers, innovators, tech entrepreneurs, and institutions in Africa and Europe to co-create AI-powered solutions targeting some of Africa’s most pressing societal challenges—especially in rural areas and for underrepresented groups, particularly women.

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Why GenAI for Africa?

Generative AI holds massive potential to solve localized development issues across Africa, from agriculture to education. This Horizon Europe initiative aims to channel cutting-edge AI tools into high-impact, socially-driven innovation ecosystems across the continent.

Expected outcomes include:

• Empowering African societies through GenAI-driven solutions.

• Building local capacity within African tech companies to harness and adapt AI to their contexts.

• Supporting gender-inclusive development, particularly in rural communities.

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Focus Areas for GenAI Innovation

Applicants are encouraged to design AI solutions addressing one or more of the following:

1. Agriculture Optimization

GenAI can analyze satellite imagery and environmental data to improve crop yield, water management, and pest control—crucial for food security and climate resilience.

2. Healthcare Access

AI-driven diagnostics, disease forecasting, and telemedicine tools powered by chatbots and virtual assistants can extend healthcare access to remote communities.

3. Sustainable Infrastructure

AI can enhance renewable energy distribution, waste and water management, and disaster response using tools like Digital Twins, which simulate real-world urban or rural environments.

4. Education and Digital Learning

From personalized learning experiences to AI tutors and multilingual content generation, GenAI can revolutionize digital education, particularly where infrastructure is limited.

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What Proposals Should Include

Proposals must:

• Conduct evidence-based needs analysis within African contexts.

• Identify existing EU-based GenAI solutions applicable in Africa.

• Adapt and develop GenAI models for local use, considering data availability, legal, and ethical implications.

• Engage start-ups, innovators, and community networks in 3–5 African locations.

• Employ co-creation and living lab methodologies, fostering inclusive innovation.

Projects must comply with EU legal frameworks, including GDPR and the AI Act, ensuring ethical, safe, and rights-based AI development.

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Collaboration Opportunities

Applicants are encouraged to:

• Build on existing projects or collaborate with European initiatives such as Destination Earth, Copernicus, and others supporting international cooperation on AI for public good.

• Connect with EU research hubs and GenAI communities to ensure knowledge exchange and sustainability.

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Who Can Apply?

Eligible applicants include:

• Academic and research institutions

• AI startups and SMEs

• Consortia involving civil society, public entities, and private partners

• Innovators and entrepreneurs based in the EU or Africa

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Important Dates

• Call Open Date: June 10, 2025

• Submission Deadline: October 2, 2025 (17:00 Brussels time)

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The Bigger Vision

The GenAI for Africa initiative is part of Destination 6 – Digital and Industrial Technologies Driving Human-Centric Innovation under Horizon Europe. It aims to ensure that the next generation of AI is inclusive, ethical, and driven by European values, while directly empowering communities in Africa through equitable technological progress.

This initiative is also aligned with the GenAI4EU and Apply AI Strategy, which envision Europe as a global hub for responsible and high-impact AI development.

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Ready to shape the future of AI in Africa?
Submit your proposal now and be part of this landmark effort to bring transformative AI innovation to the forefront of African development.

 Learn more and apply: Visit the official call page

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For more opportunities, visit opportunitiesforyouth.org.